Second Crater is Formed at the Summit of Mount Saint Helens, WA

Department of Natural Resources, State of Washington

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On March 29, a second crater appeared on the northeast side of the first crater. The new vent was 75 feet wide and 30 to 60 feet deep. This photo was taken on March 30, 1980. The next day explosive eruptions joined the two craters.

An earthquake occurred at 15 32 UT, only seconds before the explosion that began the eruption of Mount St. Helens volcano. This eruption and blast blew off the top of the volcano, reducing its elevation by 396 meters, killed 31 people and caused an estimated property damage of between $0.5 billion and $2 billion. About 53 earthquakes having magnitude larger than 4.5 were located near Mount St. Helens before the main event and eruption. No earthquakes having magnitudes higher than 4.5 were located following the eruption.